This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning fisheries, aquaculture, shellfish, and marine conservation. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas of the economy related to the Fisheries channel? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Environment and Agri-Food. Also consider subscribing to our Fisheries - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-04-12 to 2026-04-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• FOPO: Factors Determining Opening and Closing Dates of Marine Harvesting Seasons (Apr 20, 2026): The House of Commons Fisheries and Oceans Committee will examine the timing of marine harvesting season openings and closures, with witnesses from commercial fish harvesters, industry associations, and the B.C. salmon and sports fishing sectors, April 20, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• SECU: The Role of Canada Border Services Agency in Port Clearance (Apr 21, 2026): The Public Safety and National Security Committee will review CBSA practices on the H2O Highway Corridor and port clearance, including testimony from Department of Transport and industry representatives, April 21, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• FOPO: Study on Atlantic Mackerel and Atlantic Herring Fisheries (Apr 22, 2026): The House of Commons Fisheries and Oceans Committee will hear from industry and union representatives as part of its ongoing study on Atlantic Mackerel and Atlantic Herring fisheries, April 22, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• CIIT: Free Trade within Canada (Apr 23, 2026): The International Trade Committee will meet April 23 to discuss free trade across Canadian provinces, taking testimony from academia, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and industry—including food and agri-product supply chains—11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Federal Government News

Fisheries and Oceans Canada publishes 2025 Food Fishery survey results

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has released the findings of the 2025 Food Fishery survey, led by Minister Joanne Thompson, documenting the highest participation ever for a DFO survey—over 9,500 completed surveys and more than 100 written submissions, with 95% of respondents residing in Newfoundland and Labrador. Key themes emerged, including the fishery’s primary role as a local food source and calls for increased access to fishing, more flexible season dates to accommodate variable weather, and adjustments to bag and boat limits. Respondents supported direct links between management measures and health of the region’s three distinct cod stocks, with nearly unanimous sentiment that the food fishery remain accessible for future generations. The input will guide DFO’s approach to the 2026 food fishery and informs ongoing management, alongside scientific data. Full survey analysis is available in DFO’s “What We Heard” report.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Haida Gwaii fishing guide fined $12,000 under Fisheries Act for exceeding catch limits and providing false documents

A professional fishing guide operating in Haida Gwaii was convicted and fined $12,000 in Daajing Giids Provincial Court for providing false documentation, making misleading statements to DFO fishery officers, and exceeding legal catch limits for Chinook salmon and halibut. The offences followed inspections conducted by DFO in July and August 2023, where discrepancies were noted in reported fish catches and fishing licence documentation. The guide, Jean-Marc Cyr, had already reached his annual Chinook limit and was found in possession of additional fish over the authorized limit. This enforcement action under the Fisheries Act highlights federal priorities in catch reporting accuracy, supporting conservation obligations and international treaty requirements.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Thompson to represent Canadian seafood sector at Seafood Expo Global and EU bilateral meetings

Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson will lead Canada's delegation at the 2026 Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, commencing April 20. The mission involves promotion of Canadian seafood products, furthering trade diversification, and developing commercial and governmental partnerships in European markets. Following the expo, Minister Thompson will hold bilateral meetings with counterparts in Brussels to advance priorities related to trade, marine conservation, and market access in the European Union. These activities signal continued federal engagement in global fisheries markets.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal investment supports seafood processing capacity in British Columbia

The Government of Canada announced new funding for North Delta Seafoods, a seafood processor and exporter based in British Columbia, to expand ready-to-eat production. The investment, valued as part of a total $10.5 million package for nine Delta and Richmond companies, is allocated for advanced processing, cooling, and packaging equipment. The objective is to enhance operational efficiency, sustain jobs, improve supply consistency, and position the company for growth in domestic and global markets. This supply chain initiative aligns with broader federal efforts to develop value-added seafood exports and domestic food security.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Sidhu completes first Canadian ministerial mission to South China since 2018

Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu participated in bilateral meetings with Chinese officials and led a Canadian delegation at the China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou, with nearly 40 participating companies, including fish and seafood exporters. Minister Sidhu discussed market entry on e-commerce platforms Alibaba and Jingdong and attended the Taste of Canada event with Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, which celebrated the restoration of Canadian beef—and, more broadly, agri-food and seafood—exports to China. The trip culminated in 24 commercial agreements and MOUs signed between Canadian and Chinese partners, with implications for expanding Canadian agri-food and fishery exports to the Chinese market.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan launches new rural Canada employment dashboard with sector breakdowns

Statistics Canada has released an interactive dashboard tracking employment by industry in rural regions for March 2026. The resource provides granular data for fisheries and aquaculture sectors, supporting evidence-based industry and policy planning, and is accessible at the Statistics Canada website.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

B.C. announces polystyrene dock material disposal program to reduce marine pollution on the Sunshine Coast

The British Columbia government, in partnership with the shíshálh Nation and Ocean Legacy Foundation, will hold free drop-off events for dock owners to dispose of old polystyrene materials, supporting the Coastal Marine Strategy’s implementation in June and July 2026.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Kitselas Treaty Act introduced in B.C. legislature, includes fisheries provisions

The provincial government tabled the Kitselas Treaty Act to begin ratification of the Kitselas Treaty, which includes negotiated terms for commercial fisheries access, vessels, gear funding, and ongoing implementation funding affecting resource use and management within Kitselas territory.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba and federal governments announce Seal River Watershed protection plan

A multi-government proposal was released to protect over 50,000 square kilometres of the Seal River Watershed, with long-term funding and provisions for sustaining Indigenous food harvesting, including fishing activities.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Alberta Minister attends international wildlife conservation assembly in Vienna

Minister Todd Loewen represents Alberta at the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation, supporting Alberta’s position in global sustainable resource and conservation efforts.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation: Proposed wildlife area designation in Nova Scotia open for submissions

Environment and Climate Change Canada is seeking input until April 20, 2026, on amending the Wildlife Area Regulations to designate the Atlantic Archipelago National Wildlife Area in Nova Scotia.

Sources: canada-preview.adobecqms.net

What We're Reading This Week

• Cool ocean temperatures and high cost of fuel causes concern for Nova Scotia lobster industry: Nova Scotia lobster harvesters face challenges related to unusually cold ocean temps and rising fuel costs.
• A seafood retailer hopes the snow crab fishery gets going soon: Updates on crab fishery delays and operational issues at a seafood plant in Stoneville.
• P.E.I. cabinet minister will fish for lobster after all, as DFO denies substitute operator request: PEI cabinet minister will fish for lobster after substitute operator request was not approved.
• Commercial salmon fishing to open in California for the first time since 2022 as population rebounds: California commercial salmon sector is set to resume after several seasons closed.

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